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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E478]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
FEDERAL EMPLOYEE TAX ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2013
______
speech of
HON. BETTY McCOLLUM
of minnesota
in the house of representatives
Monday, April 15, 2013
Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition H.R. 249, the Federal
Employee Tax Accountability Act.
Failure to pay taxes is a serious offense and should be treated as
such. Unfortunately, this bill is not a serious attempt to address that
very complicated issue. Instead of being a good faith effort, this bill
is being used as a political stunt and appears to be an attack on
public employees.
During Oversight and Government Reform Committee markup on this bill,
a series of questions were raised about the Internal Revenue Service
procedures related to tax delinquency. These questions include what
steps may be taken to resolve a delinquency, when enforced collection
action may be used, how repayment schedules are established, among
others. Addressing these types of questions and concerns is what the
Committee process is for. Chairman Issa and Ranking Member Cummings
wrote a letter to Steven Miller, Acting Commissioner at the IRS, to
better understand these processes. The majority pledged to consider
these responses and to amend this measure accordingly. Instead of
waiting even two weeks for a reply, H.R. 9 was brought to the floor
without amendment. The Chairman refused to wait for the answer to his
own letter.
I am also concerned that this bill does not make sufficient
allowances for the dispute process to do its work. Americans have the
right to appeal IRS collection actions. While exemptions are provided
when a hearing has been scheduled under Collection Due Process, appeals
to that ruling or under the Collection Appeals Program are not.
Punishing anyone while they are still in the process of pursuing the
normal IRS dispute process is wrong.
Americans around the country are paying their taxes today. None of
them should be fired while pursuing their legal rights to appeal or
dispute IRS action. I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing H.R.
249.
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